Netflix (NFLX): Binge Watching is the ‘New Normal’

73% of TV streamers are binge watchers

A recent survey shows that almost three out of every four Netflix (NFLX) users are binge watchers.

The survey asked 1,500 streamers about their video-watching habits and 73% of them said they watch 2-6 episodes in one sitting. Netflix asked cultural anthropologist about this growing phenomenon of sitting in your couch and watching TV for five hours straight.

“I found that binge watching has really taken off due to a perfect storm of better TV, our current economic climate and the digital explosion of the last few years,” said McCracken. “But this TV watcher is different, the couch potato has awoken. And now that services like Netflix have given consumers control over their TV viewing, they have declared a new way to watch.”

The survey also shows that 80% of users would rather watch a good TV show than read their friends’ social media posts. Additionally, 76% of users say they watch good TV shows as an escape from their busy lives.